BCCC announces March’s students of the month

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced the Students of the Month for March at their monthly networking coffee held on March 20, at David Self Ford located at 1601 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas. James Ellis was chosen as the Bridge City Student of the Month and Ariel Sherman was chosen as the Orangefield Student of the Month.

James Ellis is the son of Ron and Cheryl Ellis. He is ranked 3 out of his class of 176 with a grade point average of 4.75. His awards and honors are:

Received the Mirabeau Scholarship, First Place Individual District UIL History 2011, First Place Team District UIL History 2011, Fourth Place Individual Regional UIL History 2011, First Place Team Regional UIL History 2011, State Contender UIL History, President’s Education Award for 2005, 2008 and 2011, Area Marching Contest 2010, All Region Band 2011 and 2012, All Region Jazz 2012, All Area Band 2011 and 2012, All Area Jazz 2012, ATSSB All State Band 2012, First Division UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest 2009-2012, Second Division Solo Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest 2010, First Division Solo Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest 2011, First Division Ensemble Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest 2011.

His Clubs and organizations include: Eagle Scout Troop 7 Bridge City, Boy Scouts 2005-2011, Drum Major 2010-2012, Band 2008-2012, Played Taps at Veterans Day Program, Academic Team Captain 2011-2012, Academic Team Member 2009-2012, UIL Academics 2010-2012.

James’ Community Service has included playing Taps at the Veteran’s Day Program, distributed water and ice after Hurricane Ike 2008, planted trees at Total Refinery 2010, restriped the parking lot, repainted the flagpole and planted flowerbeds at City Hall in 2011.

Faye Parish, Math Department Chair stated “It is a great pleasure to have James Ellis as the Math Department’s Student of the Month. This year’s AP Calculus class is one of the strongest I’ve had throughout my career, and James is one of the class leaders. James absorbs math through his pores. He is such an excellent math student that he has been chosen as a Lamar University Mirabeau Scholarship recipient. This prestigious and much sought after scholarship is for a full four years with all expenses paid.

James is a natural leader. He directs the band with aplomb and a maturity far beyond his years. He is active in many school activities and is active outside of school as well. James is an Eagle Scout, something that takes integrity and determination. James has large doses of both of these qualities.

In Texas UIL, state competition is paramount to excellence. James has competed at state in UIL Social Studies and he shines in AP Calculus. To excel in these diverse activities, shows the depth of James’ intellectual ability.

Brian Landry, Director Alternative Learning Centers commented “James Ellis has been coming to the ALC to tutor some of the students who are behind in Math and Spanish. I would like you to know how much we appreciate the assistance. Not only has James been an asset to the students but a pleasure to observe. He has displayed all the qualities one looks for in a leader and quality student.

Again, I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to see the quality of students we have here at the High School.”

Russell Tipton, Director of Bands stated “The Bridge City High School Band would like to send congratulations to Mr. James Ellis for being selected as the BCHS Math Department Student of the Month.

James Ellis has been the Drum Major of the BCHS Band for two years. While in this position, he has been an unquestioned student leader of the band program. He has seen the band through several successes in his time in the position including the high school bands first consecutive Sweepstakes award in over a decade. James is a terrific leader and musician. Along with the bands success, he has excelled individually. This year, Mr. Ellis was selected into the ATSSB All-State Band. As a member of this ensemble, he was given the opportunity to perform in San Antonio with other elite musicians from across the state. He is truly the backbone of our organization.

It comes as no surprise that he would be selected as the Student of the Month by the math department for March 2012. We are proud that his leadership and talents are being utilized not only in the band hall but in his academic classes as well.”

James’ future plans are to attend Lamar University to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Ariel Sherman is the daughter of Sylvia and Phillip Maass. She is ranked number 8 out of 107 with a GPA of 3.81 on college 4.00 scale and a 4.36 on the Orangefield High ranking scale.

Ariel’s clubs and organizations are: Art Club for four years, NHS grades 11 and 12, Work Program (works as a full time member of Management at Dollar General).

Her Awards and Honors include: Several Big O Awards, Law Day Art Contest, placed three years, Honor Roll for years 2008-1012, UIL Accounting Team fourth in district.

Ariel’s Community Service has included participating at Art in the Park for the past four years, Relay for life for three years, March of Dimes for two years, Pennies for Patients, Hurricane clean up after Katrina, Rita, and Ike, and gift baskets for soldiers.

The Career Prep department stated that “Ariel was chosen for her outstanding work in Career Prep, and because of her work ethic and dedication to her work in class. She also consistently receives excellent job evaluations from her Employer”.

Ariel’s future plans are to attend Lamar and major in Biology, minor in Chemistry and Art. She then plans on attending Baylor University to become an Anesthesiologist.

Both James and Ariel received a certificate honoring them for their accomplishments along with gift certificates from Wal-Mart, Firestone Credit Union, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, Sabine Federal Credit Union, COS Printing and David Self Ford.